On Monday there was the shock judgment from the Circuit Court that the trial of Charles Haughey had to be postponed because there was a risk that he couldn't get a fair trail as a result of comments by Mary Harney and other publicity. On Tuesday, Fianna Fail came under serious fire at the Moriarty tribunal, the Opposition called for the Tanaiste's resignation, a new Independent deputy took his seat amid predictions that his tenure could be the shortest ever, and the Oireachtas justice committee rejected a Labour motion to call Hugh O'Flaherty before it. On Wednesday, the Labour Party tabled a motion of no confidence in the Government. On Thursday, the O'Flahertys' house sale hit the headlines, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, appeared before the Moriarty tribunal about donations to FF, and yesterday the Government faced an Opposition motion of no confidence to survive and fight another day - or even couple of years.
It was an extraordinary week. Yesterday week a battered and bruised Government was limping towards the three-month recess confident that nothing of any great consequence could hit it in the following week. But much has happened. Harney suffered the greatest crisis of her career, but came out fighting. FG leader John Bruton by reason of a good result (though no win) in Tipp South, scuppered a heave and although there is still much discontent in the ranks about his leadership style, is now probably safe until the next general election either makes or breaks him. Ahern once again had a narrow escape from the quagmire of allegations, half truths and real scandals emanating from the Haughey years. Only Ruairi Quinn has been relatively unaffected by the events of the past eight days. He is soldiering on, hoping that come the day, FF will get fewer seats than now and Labour will get more than now and the fit will be so perfect that the next government will be FF/Lab. But there are great doubts.